Thomas F Lynch

US Patent:

6578982, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Jul 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190026

Inventors:

Thomas Paul Lynch - Oakdale MN 55128

International Classification:

F21V 2108

US Classification:

362104, 362103, 362108, 362800, 63 111, D11 3, D26 38

Abstract:

A strap-like item of wearing apparel which has studs that light up. A light-emitting diode (LED) is disposed within each stud. The LEDs are activated by means of a circuit.

US Patent:

6630209, Oct 7, 2003

Filed:

Feb 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/780983

Inventors:

Thomas Martin Lynch - Woodbury MN
Brian Kenneth Nelson - Shoreview MN
James Craig Novack - Hudson WI
James Robert Onstott - Dresser WI

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 306

US Classification:

427558, 4271632, 427165, 4273981, 4273985, 4274073, 427408, 427557, 427559, 427595

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing a coated optical fiber including the step of determining a desired temperature operating range of a coated optical fiber having at least one critical limit. The intercoating delamination stresses at the critical limit of said temperature range are determined. A zero-stress temperature region using the critical limit and the delamination stresses is then selected. An optical fiber is provided and the optical fiber is coated with a first polymer coating. The first polymer coating is exposed to a source of actinic radiation, wherein the source of actinic radiation generates heat. A second polymer coating including a photopolymerizable composition is applied to the optical fiber directly on the first polymer coating. The second polymer coating is cured, where at the time the second polymer coating is cured the first polymer coating is at the zero-stress temperature region.

US Patent:

6643440, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/251462

Inventors:

Thomas Martin Lynch - Woodbury MN
Brian Kenneth Nelson - Shoreview MN
James Craig Novack - Hudson WI
James Robert Onstott - Dresser WI

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 602

US Classification:

385128, 65443, 65484, 356 731

Abstract:

A coated optical fiber adjusted to operate at a predetermined temperature range. The coated fiber includes an optical fiber, a first polymer coating generally concentrically surrounding the optical fiber and a second polymer coating generally concentrically surrounding the first polymer coating, wherein the first polymer coating includes substantially no coefficient of thermal expansion stresses when the optical fiber is placed at a lower end of the temperature range.

US Patent:

20060130528, Jun 22, 2006

Filed:

Dec 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/021623

Inventors:

Brian Nelson - Shoreview MN, US
Thomas Lynch - Woodbury MN, US
Joseph Dyrda - Stacy MN, US
James Onstott - Dresser WI, US
Wayne Varner - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

C03B 37/027
C03B 37/07
C03B 37/075

US Classification:

065379000, 065412000, 065393000, 065429000

Abstract:

A method of fabricating a hole assisted fiber includes forming one or more slots in the perimeter of the cladding region. A tube is overcollapsed around the perimeter of the cladding region to form one or more channels, where the one or more channels bounded on one side by the overcollapsed tube. A fiber is drawn from the overcollapsed preform. An internal pressure is applied to the one or more channels during the fiber drawing step to form one or more holes of a pre-selected shape within the cladding region.

US Patent:

20060133753, Jun 22, 2006

Filed:

Dec 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/021138

Inventors:

Brian Nelson - Shoreview MN, US
Thomas Lynch - Woodbury MN, US
Joseph Dyrda - Stacy MN, US
James Onstott - Dresser WI, US
Wayne Varner - Woodbury MN, US

International Classification:

G02B 6/032

US Classification:

385125000

Abstract:

A hole-assisted fiber comprises a core region and a cladding region, where the cladding region includes multiple substantially elliptical holes spaced apart from each other to surround the core region. The holes are filled with one of a gas and a liquid to form a low refractive index portion of the cladding region.